FASTag Is Now Active In Over 70% Toll Plazas On National Highways

The Electronic Toll Collection program of NHAI, FASTag can now be used in over 70% of the toll plazas on national highways across the country. The NHAI is also offering cash back of 10% on all toll payments using FASTag in 2016-17 as an incentive to encourage its use.

The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) program, FASTag of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now active in over 70% of the Toll Plazas on National Highways. 273 toll plazas on National Highways are now enabled to accept ETC through FASTag. The NHAI is also offering cash back of 10% on all Toll payments using FASTag in 2016-17.

What is FASTag?FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen of a vehicle and enables one to drive through toll plazas. FASTag has a validity of 5 years from the date of purchase and users need to recharge or top up as per requirement. FASTag offers the convenience of cashless payment of toll fee with nation-wide inter-operable Electronic Toll Collection Services.

What are the major advantages of FASTag?
The NHAI is promoting FASTag underscoring the following advantages

Ease of payment – No need to carry cash for the toll transactions, saves time

Incentive: One can avail a cash back of 10% on all Toll payments using FASTag in 2016-17

The NHAI is also citing the environmental, social and economic benefits of using FASTag.

How to Enroll?
Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) are implementing this program with help from Toll Plaza operators, FASTag Issuer Agencies and select banks.

Any user who wishes to enroll may visit any of the Point of Sale (POS) locations at Toll Plazas or Issuer Agencies to get a FASTag account created. For getting a FASTag account, customer needs to submit a copy of the following documents along with the application for FASTag

FASTag has onetime fees of Rs 200 (a refundable deposit) for a car. Different vehicle types have a different fee. Once the account is purchased, standard instructions must be followed for affixing the FASTag.

How does it work?
FASTag can be recharged by making payment through cheque or online through Credit Card/ Debit Card/ NEFT/ RTGS or through Net Banking. FASTag account can be recharged up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh from a minimum of Rs 100.

FASTag users have to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) for crossing the toll plazas. Toll Plazas may have a dedicated FASTag lane or provision for validating FASTag through a handheld reader.

The dedicated lanes will be marked and boards/screens will be displayed with the FASTag logo about 70m from the toll plaza.

User will receive an SMS with requisite details to his registered mobile number as soon as the toll transaction takes place. The monthly pass facility is specific to each toll plaza. One can call customer care of the participating bank / issuer agency for further details. Once an account is purchased, users can login to their online account to check the balance etc.

The toll operators have also been given a standard operating procedure for smooth passage of FASTag vehicles through toll plazas. Users can go through the FAQs posted on the NHAI website for more details.

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Partner Story

An Army Colonel Is Changing Lives Of Thousand Of People From North-East Using White Bullets

Retiring after spending 32 years in the Indian Army, Col Chris Rego is helping change the destinies of hundreds of children in conflict-affected North East India through his “White Bullets” initiative. With this initiative, he hopes to bring peace and progress to communities across North East India.

Luminouswanted to bring out the Colonel’s story to the world to inspire and motivate others as it believes that education is a strong tool to empower women. It is supporting Col Rego’s cause through an initiative called #Luminaries – the brave people who stand up for causes like girl child education and make a difference in the society.

Col Rego’s journey started over a decade ago in Manipur when a tribal woman knocked on his door pleading for support for her daughter’s education. Touched by the woman’s story, Col Rego and his wife delved into their savings and arranged for the money for the girl’s education. Two years down the line, the woman returned, this time with a small pumpkin and a shawl that she had knitted, and all the money she had borrowed. Moved and realizing that their money could make lives rather than earn paltry interest, Col and Mrs. Rego embarked on a journey to arrange for sponsorship of many more underprivileged children.

Retiring from the Army, Col Rego took over as CEO of Sunbird Trust, a not-for-profit organization which he founded in 2014. The Trust now sponsor over 1,000 children in 21 locations acrossNorth East India. The centre of Sunbird Trust’s activities is at beautiful Ijeirong, Manipur.

Recognizing Col Chris’s immense work, Luminousacknowledged him as their first Luminary. Through this, they hope to bring more power to his elbow in the notable work he is doing. The Luminousteam travelled to remote Ijeirong village and installed solar products. These solar products will help in providing power to the entire campus 24/7 for the very first time.

The Logical Indian salutes Col Christopher Rego for his untiring efforts and leadership. His efforts are already having a cascading effect on people from across India joining the “White Bullets” endeavour. Quite amazingly, education, in itself so empowering, is merely a means to PEACE. We hope the path illuminated by #Luminary Col Rego and his Sunbird Trust team acts as a beacon for others to follow.

If you too have stories of change, share them with us. And if you want to connect with Colonel Rego, click here.